And I kind of do. Ruby, no matter if I remember or not, is my daughter. She’s part of me, and I bet I raised her by showing her all sides of me. And my need to lead, take command, as well as not having a problem putting another’s needs over something more involved seems like something I’d pass down to her. If she thinks Kooper is better at a club thing than with her and the kid, then neither I nor he will win that argument. Not even the Reaper himself would.
“Where’s Ruby anyway? Half expected her to be waiting on you after Church.” It’s not the standard for old ladies, but it happens. Especially when we hold Church late in the afternoon, like we did today. Most ride in with their man and stay to hang out.
“Doctor’s appointment.”
“You didn’t go with?” I raise an eyebrow. With the way he was just spouting off poetry and shit, I figured he’d be attached to her more than usual.
“Told you how it is with us. She told me to come here, and she’d go there. I’ve got a prospect on her. He thinks she’s going in for a pap smear. Kid almost turned green when she started describing what they’ll do to her when he asked what it was.”
We both laugh at the thought—well, horror really. Women are amazing to have to do that yearly. I don’t know how I know what happens, but the idea has me shuddering as I finish my beer.
“It’s just a checkup anyway,” he says with a head tilt. “No pictures or anything, so there’s not much for me to do but twiddle my thumbs. And the woman hates when I do that because it annoys the shit out of her. Which is why I do it.” Another smile on his lips, and I can tell he’s truly taken with her. Thank fuck she found someone so devoted to her. I would expect nothing less for anyone I raised in a clubhouse like this one.
My phone buzzes. I pull it out, thinking it might be Babygirl, but it’s her grandma instead.
“Hey, Nana, what’s up?”
Kooper snorts beside me, but I ignore him. I did promise her I would help her with the garage makeover she wants, so it isn’t a surprise that she’s calling.
“Have you heard from Diana?” The tone of her voice has me straightening in my seat. Kooper notices and straightens as well as he stands beside me.
“No, why? What’s going on?”
“Don’t know. Someone called and said there was a shooting at the hospital again. I can’t reach her. All the lines are busy.”
“I’ll find out. Stay by the phone.” I hang up and turn to Kooper. “Shit’s going down at the hospital.”
“Peaches,” he murmurs, and I see panic in his eyes. He just got her back, found out she’s pregnant, and now this. Even if she’s nowhere near it, I would be panicking, too, if the roles were reversed.
As it is, I’m already running out the door to get to my bike. The idea of Diana also being involved doesn’t sit well with me at all. I need both of them out of there ASAP.
“Yo,” Casper yells, then whistles, and I look up at him as I put my helmet on.
“Hospital.”
I see him nod, then shout something into the clubhouse that I can’t hear as I start my engine and back up. Before I take off, the entire club comes running out to get on their own bikes.
This is what I like—no, what Iloveabout this club. No questions, just actions. They know when to step up or stand down. The way Kooper and I are gunning it gives them little doubt that something is about to go down and backup is needed.
We speed down the road, but soon the rest of the brothers are right at our backs. We take over the streets as we head to the hospital. Police are trying to block off places, but we pull around and park anyhow. No one is going to keep us out.
We dismount and run to the entrance, only to be stopped by the police.
“Move,” Kooper orders, steel in his voice and rage on his shoulders. He is not a man to be fucked with, and the entire club stepping in line behind him proves that fact.
Not that the cop listens to the warning.
“Sir, we are on lockdown. No one in or out. Please stay behind the line or go home. We need to clear this area of civilians as quickly as we can.”
“Fuck that. My girl’s in there. I need to get in there.” Kooper moves, and I move with him. We cross the barricade, and the boys follow.
The damn cop puts himself right in front of us and holds up his hand as if that’ll stop us. We just push right through and keep going.
“Goddammit, will you fucking stop? Or are you just too stupid to think of someone else besides yourself?”
We all stop and turn as one to the cop, who’s turning red with barely contained anger.
“You think you’re the only ones with people inside who you care about? You think this has anything to do with anyone but you?”
